Perth riverside to shine for Burns Night

Perth riverside to shine for Burns Night

On Saturday January 27th Perth riverside will be a glow in celebration of Robbie Burns as the Riverside Light Nights returns to the city.

Starting on the 27th and 28th, we will be celebrating our national Bard with A Celebration of Burns. To officially launch the event there will be a parade on the 27th marching from the city centre to the riverside area.

The parade will leave 2 High Street at 6pm and move along St Johns Street making its way to the Riverside where it is due to end at 6.20pm and the entertainment will begin. Visitors will be treated to traditional music, rap (bringing Burns songs and tales to the modern era), dance (both Highland dancing and ceilidh), storytelling, poetry, and comedy. No Burns Night would be complete without an address to the haggis and a good old sing along to Auld Lang Syne.

Councillor Colin Stewart, Convener of the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee, said: “Last year’s Light Nights event was a game changer for Perth and Kinross and the type of events we hold in the city; and we are pleased that it was so well received. We had a number of themed nights last year that proved to be popular and so have expanded on that this year. Last year’s Burns night was a great success so we had to bring it back to be the theme that launches the whole event.”

Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for International Development and Europe, said: “Burns Night is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most well-known and best loved national days, celebrated by millions around the world. Burns is one of our favourite icons and he encapsulates the very essence of being Scottish – creativity, pride and confidence. Each new year millions of people from all corners of the world join hands and come together to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ together, perhaps Burn’s best known contribution.

“Every year on January 25th, the day of his birth, Scots, and Scots at heart remember the life and cultural legacy of Burns by hosting a Burns Supper. Glasses of whisky are raised in toast and haggis is addressed like no other food, it is a wonderful opportunity to come together in celebration.”

Our Burns Night event has received support through Scotland’s Winter Festivals, an event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The Light Nights is free to attend. Each night the event will begin at 6pm and end at 10pm, last entry will be 9.45pm.

Visitors are welcome to bring their dogs but will be asked to keep them on the lead at all times as some nights will feature small fireworks and firecrackers.

The Riverside Park is wheelchair accessible.

For the duration of the event all vehicular traffic, including loading and parking, will be prohibited on the Riverside road. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

The Riverside Night Light event runs until February 14th and will feature a number of exciting themes including Superheros, Super Bright Silent Night, Wonderland; Yellow Brick Road, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

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